Flying from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is six hours ahead of Santiago, where Arturo Merino Benitez Airport is located.
Leave enough time to make your SCL to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at check-in and security are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your plane ticket from SCL to Istanbul. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
SCL is about 13 kilometres from central Santiago. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Looking for a hotel close to SCL? If you've booked an early flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul, these stays put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
82.58% of flights leaving Arturo Merino Benitez Airport touch down at their destination according to schedule. With its reliable on-time performance, you're unlikely to experience delays when taking off from SCL.
How to find the cheapest flights from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) to Istanbul
454 € is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip ticket right now is 952 €. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Booking in advance is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from SCL to Istanbul. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
Finding cheap tickets from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul is easier if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest fares across the month and walk away with an awesome deal.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from SCL to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive takes about 50 minutes.
It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Get your adventure underway by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from SCL to Istanbul can help you secure the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can reach the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
You'll find some great places to rest your head close to SAW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your SCL to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before locking in your flights from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of activities, while low season brings better deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
Lock in an Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul plane ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SCL to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Arturo Merino Benitez Airport to Istanbul, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are top sights which should be on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've done Istanbul, now it's time to discover other corners of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its leading attractions. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Start your sightseeing at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.